Historical Changes in Elderly Cohorts' Attitudes toward Mental Health Services

Older adults' attitudes toward mental health services have received little research attention. Overall, older adults are thought to hold relatively negative attitudes. In this study, Analysis 1 investigated historical shifts in attitudes toward mental health services among three independent samples of older adults, separated by 14-year and 9-year intervals (1977 sample, N = 90; 1991 sample, N = 101; 2000 sample, N = 99). Analysis 2 compared two samples of older and younger adults, each separated by a 9-year interval (Older Adults: 1991 sample, N = 93; 2000 sample, N = 91 and Younger Adults: 1991 sample, N = 131; 2000 sample, N = 147). Participants completed a questionnaire containing five, internally consistent scales assessing multiple dimensions of mental health attitudes (Openness, Biases, Range of Knowledge, Breadth, Help Seeking Attitudes). Analyses suggested that the 1991 and 2000 samples of older adults had more positive attitudes than did the 1977 sample. However, a sustained trend for more positive attitudes beyond 1991 was not seen. In fact, no differences existed between 1991 and 2000 samples with exception of two. Older and younger adults together had lower Biases and Breadth scores in 2000 than in 1991. Age effects, gender effects, and interactions were also examined. Possible historical influences were discussed along with implications for the delivery of mental health care to future cohorts of older adults.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2001

Author dc:creator

• Currin, James B.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Hayslip, Bert
• Schneider, Lawrence
• Guarnaccia, Charles A.
• Glover, Rebecca

• Older people -- Mental health services.
• Older people -- Attitudes.
• Older Adults
• Elderly cohorts
• attitudes
• Mental health services

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• Currin James B.
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 50988987
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2908/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc2908

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc2908